Still A “Sizable Gap” Between Russell Wilson & Seahawks As Deadline Nears

Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports reports that the Seahawks and QB Russell Wilson aren’t making much progress on a long-term extension.

• According to La Canfora, Seattle is offering Wilson a “very strong deal by Seahawks standards“, but this contract would be viewed as a “weak deal by top quarterback standards” based on the total guarantees included in the contract.
• La Canfora considers it “highly likely” that negotiations will be shutdown on Friday.

Meanwhile, Mike Garafolo of FOX Sports reports that there remains a “sizable gap” between the two sides, and it would require “significant concessions” by one of them for a deal to be done by Friday morning.

According to Garafolo’s sources, the Seahawks have been offering a contract that would leave Wilson as one of the top three highest-paid quarterbacks in the league. In fact, one of Garafolo’s sources specifically mentioned that Seattle’s offers would pay Wilson more than the five-year, $103.8 million deal Cam Newton signed with the Panthers last month.

Earlier in the day, Ian Rapoport of NFL Media reported that while the Seahawks and Wilson continue to discuss a long-term extension in the days leading up to Wilson’s self imposed deadline, there is some pessimism that a deal will eventually get done.

Should the deadline pass without a deal, it would not be surprising to see Seattle turn their attention to locking up MLB Bobby Wagner, and then use their franchise tag on Wilson in 2016.

Wilson, 26, still has one year remaining on his four-year, $2.198 million rookie contract, which includes a base salary of $798,651 for the 2015 season.

In 2014, Wilson threw for 3,475 yards while completing 63.1 percent of his passes for 20 touchdowns and seven interceptions. He also ran for 849 yards and scored six rushing touchdowns over the course of 16 games.

We’ll have more regarding Wilson and a potential contract extension as the news is available.